A former operator of the Deise Animal Sanctuary in Co. Waterford has had her custodial sentence suspended following an appeal in the Clonmel Circuit Court on 18th February last.
Ms. Pat Edwards (70), who ran Deise Animal Sanctuary in Ballymacarbry, Co. Waterford, had previously pleaded guilty to charges of causing suffering to animals and mishandling microchipping.
In November, the District Court sentenced Edwards to eight months in prison, disqualified her from owning animals for 20 years, and imposed a €1,500 fine.
The appeal centered on the severity of the sentence.
During the appeal, evidence was presented by veterinary experts who described extremely poor conditions at the sanctuary, including lack of veterinary care, soiled living spaces, and inadequate record keeping.
Despite repeated inspections by the Department of Agriculture and the ISPCA, no improvements were made, resulting in the removal of over 50 animals from the site, including a fox who had been confined for six years in a small pen.
Ms. Edwards’ legal counsel argued that her overwhelmed response to the influx of animals during the pandemic contributed to the sanctuary’s decline.
However, the court ruled that the original sentence was justified but suspended it for one year, on the condition that Edwards no longer operates the sanctuary or care for animals beyond a single pet dog.
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